STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY
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HAROLD AND TOSTIG (A.D. 1066).
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1. To England’s shore the pirate king
Of Norway’s icy clime,
In thrice one hundred ships of war,
Brought o’er his men of crime:
While at his side the outlaw son
Of proud Earl Godwin came,
And many a child in terror shrank
At dreaded Tostig’s name.
2. King Harold led a dauntless host,—
For every loyal thane,}
Arousing at his country’s call,
Called forth a vassal-train.*
And while green autumn robed the vales,
And corn was waving high,
These vengeful armies frowning met
Where Derwent* murmured by.
Then, parted from his armed ranks
A knight of noble mien,*
And waved a snowy flag of truce *
Those frowning hosts between.
3. “To Tostig, great Earl Godwin’s son,
King Harold bids me say,
Why stand’st thou on thy native soil,
Amid its foes this day ?
1 Thane, lord.
2 Vassal-train, the lord’s men who followed him to war.
3 Derwent, a river in Yorkshire : the battle took place at Stam-
ford Bridge. 4 Mien, manner.
5 Flag of truce, a white flag to denote peace.